What is the last movie you saw? and rate it.

[Janine]

It's not silly at all. I have tons of little pet peeves like that, things that just bother me. And yes, she does seem a little gangly at times. Hopefully she'll grow out of that. And yes, she was born the same year as my brother, so she was born in 85. Not sure why I know that...

That is exactly the word - gangly. Her posture sometimes seems to me a little put on and gangly...effected. She also talks very clipped at times but I am getting used to that about her.

I haven't seen either of those films. I have seen some of Emma Thompson's later work and I do really like her. I actually really liked her in the Harry Potter movies too lol.

OMG, you must see those *Classic*C, those films are wonderful and so well done. They both star Anthony Hopkins. I thought you adored him; how did you miss these fine films of his...two of his best in my opinion? Also, see "Shadowlands" - he is in that, as well. It is wonderful! (Get plenty of tissues). Emma is highly talented and writes, also. Her mother is a film star and has been in many films with her. She was in "Much Ado About Nothing" as the older woman - forget her name now. Philydia Law is her real name, I believe. She is an excellent actress, as well.

I didn't know that screen plays were published like that! There are a number of screenplays I'd love to read. I also didn't know that Kenneth Branagh wrote! Are they well done?

I didn't either till I read about them on Branagh's fan site Kenneth Branagh Compendium - love it! I ordered his autobiography too, and many people criticised him for writing it so early on, (he was working on Henry V or just finished it) but I found it so entertaining and informative about his family life in Ireland and his time at drama school RADA and his first plays/films, encounters with famous actors, who would influence him later on. I like his writing very much so; it was quite human and witty at times. He writes well, a brilliant guy, but very down to earth and he is highly talented - writes, acts, directs, does it all. He has also written some plays the fans say are hits. I only read a portion of his 'Hamlet', but it was good. One of these days I will read it all. He is very poetic and romantic minded. I have a second biography to read of him written by Mark White. I started it but have not gotten too far into it yet, but I will.
Yes, like I said, Emma did start out in comedy so I guess she was a natural for Harry Potter. Come to think of it she wrote a child's movie after that. I can't recall the name of it now. I did not see it but I had thought to. I forgot about it.

[*Classic*Charm*]

OMG, you must see those *Classic*C, those films are wonderful and so well done. They both star Anthony Hopkins. I thought you adored him; how did you miss these fine films of his...two of his best in my opinion? Also, see "Shadowlands" - he is in that, as well. It is wonderful! (Get plenty of tissues).

Really!? Yes, I do adore him, yet it is a number of his works in the "in-between years" that I haven't seen. All of his recent stuff I have seen (with the exception of Fracture), and I have seen some very early films as Arch of Triumph. I'll have to see those! I have lots of time now that summer's here!

[Janine]

Really!? Yes, I do adore him, yet it is a number of his works in the "in-between years" that I haven't seen. All of his recent stuff I have seen (with the exception of Fracture), and I have seen some very early films as Arch of Triumph. I'll have to see those! I have lots of time now that summer's here!

This is so funny. This is in reverse, of how I encountered Anthony Hopkins. I saw all these films first, and took to him right away. I thought he was such a subtle and amazing actor. Truly, he became in my eyes, a huge talent.

Also, isn't it funny, how discussing Emma Thompson, has lead us to Anthony Hopkins?

[*Classic*Charm*]

This is so funny. This is in reverse, of how I encountered Anthony Hopkins. I saw all these films first, and took to him right away. I thought he was such a subtle and amazing actor. Truly, he became in my eyes, a huge talent.

I love him. Too bad he's so old...

[*Classic*Charm*]

I wanted to see The Importance of Being Ernest when it first came out and then completely forgot about it. If I remember correctly I didn't get very good reviews.

[*Classic*Charm*]

My mistake! I see what you mean though about her being a quintessential American girl. I felt the same way seeing Kirsten Dunst play Marie Antionette. The worst part was that she didn't even try to fake an accent!

[Janine]

The 'quintessential American girl' I know what you girls mean...about the two actresses mentioned.

I did love Reese in "Walk the Line".

I saw 'Silk' but I did not care for it much. I really did not like the actor who played the lead, I felt he lacked a lot, and the storyline seemed so contrived and trite to me. The lilies were lovely though, weren't they?... and the film had some of the most beautiful cinematography I have ever seen.

I liked 'Much Ado About Nothing' as a fun film, but it did have some very serious flaws - like I just hated Michael Keaton's role - oh please, what was Ken thinking hiring him...ugh? He was so stupid and simple-minded and totally overacted that role. The movie could have been so much better and it should have been longer with more of the Shakespeare text uncut...but that is Hollywood for you. I think they did have some control over that film and wanted it to be a box office hit.

[Janine]

I thought they should have cast someone a little older and more sophisticated for the lead in "Silk," Janine. Oh, those lilies. They were just beautiful. The cinematography was gorgeous, I agree. I also liked the cinematography in "Atonement," especially the part at the house/mansion. But "Silk" was visually gorgeous all the way through.

I agree. I kept thinking of other actors with more dimension who would have been great in that role, but Michael Pitt was not great at all - kind of flat and dull to me. I nearly fell asleep in parts accept I really wanted to see the gorgeous scenery. It was amazing - the locations and so well filmed. Same with Atonement. They both were visually stunning films!

[*Classic*Charm*]

I agree with you both about the cinematography in Silk. In fact, I thought it was the film's only redeeming quality. I thought there was no depth to the script or the acting (aside from Keira Knightley). I know I sound like I don't think she could put a foot wrong, which is not true (she was nothing special in King Arthur). She wasn't anything outstanding in Silk, but I found her character a lot more developed and sophisticated than any of the others, and her role was only minor. I thought the lead was terrible. The film was very pretty, I'll give you that, but other than that I didn't think very much of it.

[Idril]

Janine, I'm with you on the Keira Knightly thing. I know my reasons for not liking her are completely petty and shallow but I can't help it. Her teeth drive me nuts, you just see waayyy too much of them and then she's so thin and angular she makes me uncomfortable. I can't even really notice her acting abilities because I'm so distracted by her 5 million teeth and her jutting jaw. And yes, I realize how mean spirited that sounds and I'm really not a mean spirited person by nature but there's just something about Keira that brings it out in me...and Gwyneth Paltrow...and Kirsten Dunst...and Angelina Jolie...and don't even get me started on Liv Tyler...ok, so maybe I am a mean spirited person by nature.

The last movie I watched was Yi Yi. A Taiwanese family drama that was absolutely brilliant. The acting was tremendous, the dialogue was sparse but always touching and profound, it was evocative without being manipulative and even though it was almost 3 hours in length, I was so completely enraptured that the time just flew by. I give it a score of 10 out of 10.

[*Classic*Charm*]

Julia Roberts- now there's a set of chompers.

I won't lie, there are a few young actresses I like. I also like Natalie Portman. Can't think of others off the top of my head right now though...

[djy78usa]

I watched Charlie Wilson's War today. I'll give it a 7 or 8 out of 10. You can't really go wrong with Tom Hanks, but Phillip Seymour Hoffman's character was my favorite. Antiquarian, you might want to avoid it, Julia Roberts is the female lead

[Janine]

I agree with you both about the cinematography in Silk. In fact, I thought it was the film's only redeeming quality. I thought there was no depth to the script or the acting (aside from Keira Knightley). I know I sound like I don't think she could put a foot wrong, which is not true (she was nothing special in King Arthur). She wasn't anything outstanding in Silk, but I found her character a lot more developed and sophisticated than any of the others, and her role was only minor. I thought the lead was terrible. The film was very pretty, I'll give you that, but other than that I didn't think very much of it.

*Classic* - I have to admit I was being 'kind' on my post about "Silk". I was bored to death! Was there a plot? If so, it was very thin. It is so 'memorable' a film, I can't recall a thing about the plot except silkworms and some die towards the end, right? I thought it was predictable, also. Geez, I only saw it a week or so ago, and all I really recall are the pretty lilies and the scenery - stunning. I thought the lead actor was just dreadful and even some of the others were truly bad. Keira was ok, but I liked her much better in "Atonement"...still I do think she will be an actress I get tired of easily, sorry to say. She does have annoying teeth and she holds her face and lips funny...I know, I am being petty again. I think to myself, she is a pretty girl, but she is almost too pretty and I don't find her particularly stunning, just pretty and maybe Idril is right - she is a bit too thin, although I did think she looked stunning for once in that green silk gown in "Atonement".

I personally like the actresses you mentioned, Antiquarian - "Judi Dench, Helen Mirren, Vanessa Redgrave. The only younger one I can think of I truly like is Sandra Bullock."
I would add to this list Cate Blanchett, Kate Winslett, Charleze Theron (although I have not seen her in anything recently), and I will have to think of some more to add to my list.
Is Sandra that young still? I was getting tired of her, because everything I saw her in for a time, seemed like the same kind of role, 'the rejected woman type' role. I got a little sick of that. She seemed to always be playing a depressed character in her film choices; yet I do think she is a good actress.
And I totally agree with you about Gwyneth Paltrow - she is just horrible! I hated her films "Great Expectations" and "Emma" - that one made me want to weep I hated that adaptation soooo much!


Idril, your post made me laugh - so true so true!

I like some obscure actresses you probably don't even know, like Susan Lynch, Imelda Stubbs and other English actresses, that probably do stage more than screen. Oh and I love Juliet Binoche.

[*Classic*Charm*]

Hahaha Janine- Me too!! I couldn't find a plot either! I was bored out of my mind. My mother fell asleep on the couch beside me and the only thing that kept me awake was my determination that it was all going to make sense at some point. I'll admit, the last half hour was good. That was about it. I thought it was a complete waste of time.

I think I'll keep my liking of Keira Knightley to myself though- it seems to bring up bad feelings in all who think about her oddly-shaped face LOL

I never really thought much of Sandra Bullock- she was always just another run of the mill Romantic Comedy type to me. As for other actresses I like, I also LOVE Helena Bonham Carter. I think she's an excellent actress. Always weird roles though.

[Janine]

Hahaha Janine- Me too!! I couldn't find a plot either! I was bored out of my mind. My mother fell asleep on the couch beside me and the only thing that kept me awake was my determination that it was all going to make sense at some point. I'll admit, the last half hour was good. That was about it. I thought it was a complete waste of time.

That is funny! Actually, my mother would have been asleep in the first 5 mins. She is 86 and she would have been sitting there with her mouth wide open, sound asleep in her recliner...she does it all the time. She would have had no idea what was going on in that film..not a clue.

I think I'll keep my liking of Keira Knightley to myself though- it seems to bring up bad feelings in all who think about her oddly-shaped face LOL

That is ok, I did really like her in "Atonement"...maybe she will grow on me.

I never really thought much of Sandra Bullock- she was always just another run of the mill Romantic Comedy type to me. As for other actresses I like, I also LOVE Helena Bonham Carter. I think she's an excellent actress. Always weird roles though.

So funny you should mention her. As soon as I got off the computer I thought of her. I love her and have seen her in her earlier days in adaptations of Henry James novels and I just love her so much. She is so good and to me she has a rare sort of beauty. Yes, I too always sort of thought of Sandra as run of the mill. I did actually like her best in the film "Hope Floats" - I know very American but I liked it and I like Harry Connick, Jr. and he was good in it. They had a lot of chemistry.
I was also thinking of the excellent actress Meryl Streep - how could I have forgotten her? She has done a million movies. She has been amazing over the years. I know my list will get much longer the more I think about it. I like Embeth Davitz - you might know her from her role in Schindler's list. She always gives strong performances. I used to like Rachael Ward but she has not done anything to speak of in ages. I like the director Charles Sturridge's wife Phobe (?) - can't recall her name now. She was in many things, notably she played Shackleton's wife in the film of the same name by Sturridge. As I said, I know I will think of more in time.